The Other Ashby (#10InfiniteWeeks)

Welcome to 10 Infinite Weeks!

Today marks the first day of the first week, and we are celebrating Audrina Ashby, the slightly younger sibling of Larson Ashby. 

If you've read all three books leading up to Infinite Limits, then you know the complete story behind this particular blonde. If not, let me give you a recap.

The Ashby siblings have always been close. Doing the math, you'll come to realize that Larson and Audrina are only four months apart in age - Larson being born in February, and Audrina being born in June of that same year. I know what you're thinking: how can they have the same mother? Well, they do, and it's explained completely in Infinite Limits. 

At the beginning of Small Circles, we learn that Audrina and Larson's best friend, Paxton Graham, have been involved since the summer before. When the two characters are 15 years old, they lose their virginities to each other. The news of this breaks at dinner with all of Larson's friends at the table. Owen Spencer and Jade Walbridge take it as a shock, and as Audrina's older brother, Larson is upset. But eventually, he accepts their relationship and moves on. 

The on and off hook ups last another year or so, then Paxton sets his eyes on Jade Walbridge. She's the new girl at Foster and Allan Academy, and everyone agrees that she's beautiful mystery. Audrina begins to feel jealous and replaced. Before Jade stepped into the group, she was always the fourth wheel in her brother's small circle of friends. Now, however, Jade is the one that's invited out. Jade is the one captivating Paxton's attention. Jade is the one dating Owen, and Audrina is pushed out of the group. 

From Audrina's point of view, we begin to understand why she feels such a strong connection to Paxton and the rest of Larson's friends. In Three Sixty, her motives are revealed for what they are: she wants to belong again. 

Personally, I have always felt bad for Audrina. Most of you wouldn't after only reading the first book, but that's why I chose to write Three Sixty. I needed everyone to understand what Audrina was going through. After losing her virginity to a boy she thought was her entire world, she learns that she's not the only girl in his. It's devastating, and on top of this, she's losing her real friends. It's mentioned that Audrina has two classmates that follow her every move, Taylor and Kayla. These are not her true friends. Over the years, she grew closer with Paxton and Owen. The small gap in age difference was always the glue that held them all together. She never felt like the little sister, despite being in a different grade level. Now, they've found a girl in their own grade. She's beautiful and funny and fresh. Something completely different than what they're used to. That leaves Audrina as only one thing: the other Ashby.

At the end of Three Sixty, Audrina has a choice. She can either fight for Paxton's love, or escape his hold on her heart forever. Up until the end, she thinks she can fight, but then a major secret is revealed. Jade is pregnant, and Audrina no longer has a choice. It's been made for her. She leaves for college in another state thinking that the greater the distance between them, the easier it will be to move on. But will it?

In Infinite Limits, that's exactly what we find out.
Has Audrina successfully grown into a different person? Has she completed her 360? Will everyone find out what Jade is hiding? And what will Paxton do when he finds out?

Join me in counting down the next 10 weeks leading up to the release of the final installment to the Small Circles story!

Happy blogging!

-Megan.